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Tillman scratched with soreness in left side

Chris Tillman was crucial to the O's 2012 stretch run and while he has room to progress in '13, he may be dinged by a higher average against

By Brittany Ghiroli
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MLB.com |

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman was scratched from Sunday's start due to soreness in his left side. However, the 24-year-old expects be pushed back just a few days and to pitch later in the week.

"It's just a precautionary thing in my side, it kind of flared up the other day," Tillman said. "I think just to be safe, I just want to take it easy for now. Nothing big, but I'm not going to downplay it either. Nothing I'm really worried about, just want to be safe."

Tillman said he wasn't sure if he would have made Sunday's start had it been during the regular season, acknowledging that it would be the team's -- and not his -- decision in that scenario. Projected to be one of Baltimore's starting five after going 9-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 15 games last year, Tillman said the issue isn't in his oblique, which is a very good thing, and the hope is some rest will calm down the area.

"It's my left side," Tillman said. "I had it early in camp, and the more I threw the better it got. [Saturday] it just kind of was nagging me a little bit. And I'm thinking more risk and reward right now. What am I really going to gain from me going out there throwing, and what am I really going to lose from not throwing? Do I like it? No. But is it the best decision? Probably."

Miguel Gonzalez, who was originally scheduled to follow Tillman, started Sunday's game against the Pirates.